Rapper YoungstaCPT takes varied approaches to crafting hip-hop, but his messaging remains the same: he represents his hometown of Cape Town, South Africa to the fullest. Born Riyadh Emandien in 1991, the MC grew up listening to California artists like DJ Quik, Xzibit and Nate Dogg. He dropped his first mixtape at 12 years old. By 19, he had opened for hip-hop icon Lil Wayne during a tour stop in Cape Town. YoungstaCPT’s debut single, the sonically abrasive “Salutas” from 2014, saw the rapper vividly describing his surroundings and habits. He would keep that same propulsive energy on his 2019 breakthrough album 3T, which dealt with issues like slavery and imperialism. “Of all my releases, this goes below the surface of what we have experienced,” YoungstaCPT told Apple Music. His 2021 project, Dreams Dont Pay Bills, a collaborative effort with fellow Cape Town native and producer Shaney Jay, featured YoungstaCPT rapping confidently about how his lived experiences have guided him to his current successes.